Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and present high-quality meals for elite athletes at Aston Villa FC.
- Company: Join the prestigious Aston Villa FC, a club with a proud history and bright future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for culinary innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on athletes' performance through nutrition in a top-tier training environment.
- Qualifications: Culinary qualifications and experience in high-performance settings are essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a fast-paced kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
The Sous Chef at Aston Villa FC's Training Ground plays a vital role in delivering nutritionally balanced, high-quality meals for players, coaches, and staff in an elite sporting environment. Working under the guidance of the Senior Sous Chef, Head Chef and Executive Performance Chef, the Sous Chef is responsible for preparing and presenting dishes that meet the highest standards of taste, nutrition, and consistency, supporting performance and recovery needs.
The role involves hands-on cooking, menu execution, and maintaining impeccable food safety and hygiene standards. The Sous Chef may also support performance catering at Villa Park on matchdays, helping ensure first-team meals are delivered seamlessly. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to Aston Villa's pursuit of excellence, aligned with the club's philosophy: Proud History, Bright Future.
Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath Training Ground is one of the most advanced football training facilities in the country. It is home to the men's and women's first teams as well as the academy, serving as a central hub for player development, sports science, and elite performance. The kitchens and dining areas form a vital part of this environment, providing tailored, performance-focused nutrition that powers Aston Villa athletes every day.
Key Responsibilities- Food Preparation and Service: Prepare, cook, and present meals to the highest standards, ensuring nutritional balance and consistency across all services.
- Menu Execution: Deliver and support the creation of menus designed by the Head Chef and Aston Villa's Performance Nutrition department to support fueling, recovery, and wellbeing goals for athletes.
- Matchday Support: If required, assist with first team catering at Villa Park on matchdays, ensuring performance-focused menus are executed to the required standards.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Head Chef, fellow chefs, and nutrition department to deliver seamless service across daily meal periods.
- Food Safety & Hygiene: Maintain strict compliance with food hygiene, allergen management, and health and safety standards at all times.
- Stock & Waste Management: Assist with stock control, storage, and waste reduction, ensuring ingredients are used efficiently.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribute ideas for menu development and culinary innovation, staying aligned with trends in nutrition and performance catering.
- Training & Development: Support junior team members where required, sharing knowledge and upholding kitchen standards.
- Culinary Qualifications: Professional culinary training and relevant certifications (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent).
- Experience: Previous experience as a Sous Chef ideally in high-performance, sports, training ground, or premium hospitality settings.
- Technical Skills: Strong cooking ability with excellent attention to detail in presentation and quality.
- Nutrition Awareness: Interest in, or knowledge of, sports nutrition principles and performance-led cooking.
- Team Player: Collaborative approach with excellent communication skills to work effectively with chefs, nutritionists, and performance staff.
- Organisation & Efficiency: Ability to manage time effectively and deliver consistently in a fast-paced environment.
- Food Safety Knowledge: Solid understanding of HACCP, allergen procedures, and health and safety compliance.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Willingness to work flexible hours in line with training schedules, match preparation, and club requirements.
- Passion & Drive: Enthusiasm for food, nutrition, and contributing to the success of Aston Villa Football Club.
- Growth Mindset: Sport is always evolving, so a positive and open mindset is required to adapt to its changing nature.
1st Team Sous Chef- Aston Villa Training Ground in Birmingham employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 1st Team Sous Chef- Aston Villa Training Ground in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Aston Villa or in similar roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, whip up a dish that showcases your culinary flair and understanding of sports nutrition. Bring it along to any meet-ups or interviews to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on trends in performance nutrition. We should be able to discuss how we can elevate the dining experience for athletes at Aston Villa, showing our passion and knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Aston Villa family.
We think you need these skills to ace 1st Team Sous Chef- Aston Villa Training Ground in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and nutrition shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for culinary arts, especially in a high-performance environment like Aston Villa.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs at Aston Villa FC!
Highlight Teamwork Skills: Since this role involves working closely with other chefs and nutritionists, emphasise your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've worked as part of a team in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Aston Villa.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Nutrition
Brush up on your knowledge of sports nutrition principles. Be ready to discuss how you can create meals that support performance and recovery for athletes. Showing a genuine interest in nutrition will impress the interviewers.
✨Show Off Your Culinary Skills
Prepare to talk about your previous experience in high-performance kitchens. Bring examples of dishes you've created that demonstrate your attention to detail and presentation skills. If possible, share any innovative ideas you have for menu development.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Emphasise your ability to collaborate with chefs, nutritionists, and performance staff. Share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team setting, especially in fast-paced environments. This role is all about seamless service, so teamwork is key!
✨Be Ready for Flexibility
Discuss your willingness to adapt to changing schedules and demands, especially on matchdays. Highlight any past experiences where you've had to be flexible and how you managed those situations. This shows you're ready for the dynamic nature of the role.
